EVault offers FlexPod users armoured cloud

Yeah baby, we can make it rain data. Guaranteed

EVault is cosying up to NetApp and offering its customers data protection in its proprietary cloud for users of NetApp's scalable infrastructure FlexPod bundle.

EVault's offer is a purpose-built service for FlexPodites; that is, customers with converged NetApp storage and Cisco server-and-switch bundles. The lengthily named EVault Storage Cloud - Data Protection Service for NetApp (El Reg's storage desk tried and failed in its heroic acronymic shortening attempt with this horror show; it comes out as “ESCDPSN”) uses NetApp's snapshot and block-level incremental replication technologies to suck data copies off the FAS array and into EVault's datacentres.

There are no upfront costs and it's a pay-as-you-grow scheme.

David Chapa, an "evangelist" in the EVault CTO's office, suggested that FlexPod users could scrap tape data protection schemes and save cash by not having to pay for on-premise tape kit and off-site tape vaults:

"The removal of the tape hardware maintenance costs alone may very well pay for the service, especially as it can skyrocket for customers in years three and four, further eating away at IT’s budget.”

Another tinned quote came from Gary Hocking, CTO service providers at NetApp:

"Our collaboration with EVault enables the seamless movement of data to the cloud where it can be continuously protected and managed on a NetApp architecture."

You get the impression that EVault is spreading its wings more and more. Both BVault and NetApp are tuning into a wish for simplified IT from FlexPod fans.

EVault has joined NetApp's partner program for Service Providers and the service is available now in North America for FlexPod Datacenter and FlexPod Express customers, with EMEA availability expected "very soon." ®